If I'm on my main ride, my LHT, I usually answer "about $1000." No one has called me an idiot yet. However, I have old Schwinns and such that are of comparable quality, and I can truthfully answer "100 bucks." The only idiots are the guys clueless enough to spend money on a Wal Mart bike, but, if they stick with cycling for any time at all, they generally figure this out for themselves.